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Johan du Toit, 38, joins Central Rand Gold from BHP Billiton where, based in Johannesburg, he headed up the South African and European Financial Shared Services for BHP Billiton plc, delivering all aspects of financial management and reporting.

From 1996 to 2004, he worked for Standard Bank of South Africa, reporting to the board on financial management, performance analysis and latterly coordinating Standard Bank's three year strategic financial forecast.

Having been instrumental in the development of Central Rand Gold and its dual listing in London and Johannesburg last year, Ric Vittino has decided to leave the company.

He will remain at Central Rand Gold until the end of August 2008 to ensure an orderly transition to Johan du Toit.

Alastair Walton, chairman of Central Rand Gold (LSE:CRND), said that Vittino had played an important role in the development of Central Rand Gold, from the formation of the company's forerunner, Rand Quest Syndicate Limited in Perth in 2003.

“On behalf of the Board I would like to give our sincere thanks to both Ric for his tireless work and also to his family in Perth who have given Ric strong support as the management of the Central Rand Gold project moved from Perth to Johannesburg,” he added.

Greg James, chief executive, said, “Ric has been a central pillar to Central Rand Gold and he will be sorely missed. We welcome Johan du Toit as an extremely strong and professional finance director who has demonstrated the financial skills required to manage large scale processes and mining operations, reporting to the exacting standards of the world's leading mining company."

Related links

• Central Rand Gold Limited